Getting Better all the Time

Park System Improvements Reflect Support From Voters, Legislature

PRESIDIO, Texas – A major expansion of public access to the majestic backcountry of Texas’ largest state park is currently underway at Big Bend Ranch State Park, made possible with increased funding provided by the Texas Legislature. The public is invited to see the new opportunities during a free, daylong Fiesta on Saturday, May 2.

Dozens of new backcountry campsites are opening at the park this year. This expanded access is the heart of the new Public Use Plan now being implemented at Big Bend Ranch, and expanded staffing with four new employee positions is what’s making new public opportunities possible. The park has hired two new park peace officers to help with everything from search and rescue to leading tours and interpreting the park story for visitors. The park also hired two new part-time seasonal maintenance assistants to help maintain trails and facilities for the public.

“The new peace officers are helping to make the backcountry expansion possible, by conducting patrols and providing public service,” said Rick Thompson, park superintendent. “They’ll provide increased security in event of emergencies, help patrol cultural sites, and monitor and protect natural resources at campsites. The new maintenance assistants are also important, since all the buildings here are in need of tender loving care, including the Big House and Saucedo Lodge Bunkhouse where many of our customers stay.”

The park’s operating budget grew by about $19,000 last year to help pay increased utility costs. That includes electrical and telecommunications upgrades, including a satellite connection for broadband internet service. Although unrelated to new funding from the legislature, the park also received a $100,000 National Recreational Trails grant to improve roads and hiking trails, including new miles of trails for the backcountry campsite expansion.

State investments at Big Bend Ranch should generate a strong return for the host community, based on Texas A&M University research which proved state parks draw tourist dollars from outside their host counties. A university research report in 2005 focused on 80 state parks studied in the project. Statewide, these 80 parks generated an estimated total of $793 million in retail sales, had a $456 million impact on residents’ income and created roughly 11,928 jobs.

Researchers say investing money on facilities upkeep, interpretation and services to enhance the visitor experience can boost the economic value of parks.

“State parks are analogous to retail stores,” said John Crompton, Ph.D., with the university’s Department of Recreation, Park and Tourism Sciences. “Economic success depends on what happens inside the facility. Investments in park services and amenities mean more visitors and higher per capital expenditures, which equals higher revenues to the state and more jobs and income for local residents.”

The complete “Economic Contributions of Texas State Parks” research report, including fact sheets on each of the 80 parks studied, can be downloaded from the TPWD Web site.

Details on Big Bend Ranch State Park, including visitor facilities, hours and fees, maps and directions, can also be viewed online.